United for Oral Health: Nationwide World Oral Health Day Campaign 2025

The 2025 World Oral Health Day campaign was a nationwide initiative coordinated by the Nigerian Association of Dental Students (NADDS), involving 11 dental schools across 11 states in Nigeria. The campaign aimed to promote oral health awareness, strengthen preventive oral healthcare practices, and highlight the link between oral health and mental wellbeing, in alignment with the global theme: “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Mind.”

The campaign was implemented over a two to three-day period across participating schools and communities through a combination of academic, digital, creative, and community-based activities. It commenced with a national webinar that brought together dental students and stakeholders to discuss the relationship between oral health and mental health, fostering nationwide dialogue and knowledge exchange. This was preceded by an instagram live discussion that provided an interactive platform for students to engage the public in real-time conversations on oral health education and advocacy.

To further extend public engagement, selected schools, including the national secretariat, participated in radio interviews where dental students educated the public, addressed oral health concerns, and promoted preventive oral hygiene practices. Across all participating institutions, structured outreach activities were conducted in schools, where children were educated on oral hygiene practices, given demonstrations on proper brushing techniques, and provided with free toothpaste.

Community-based outreaches were also carried out in marketplaces and public spaces, featuring oral health sensitization, advocacy walks, and direct engagement with community members to promote preventive care and early oral health-seeking behavior. The campaign further included coordinated social media advocacy across various platforms, amplifying awareness and extending reach nationwide.

In addition, the campaign introduced a “Smile Story Challenge” for dental students, where participants shared personal narratives on how oral health and their smiles have contributed to confidence building and self-esteem. This initiative reinforced the campaign’s theme by linking oral health not only to physical wellbeing but also to emotional confidence and mental health.

Notably, one of the outreach activities in Sokoto State received local press coverage by a news station, further amplifying the campaign’s visibility and impact at the community level. Overall, the campaign successfully integrated education, advocacy, storytelling, and community engagement to promote oral health awareness across Nigeria.